Beware of the SERVICE TRAP in Alcoholics Anonymous

This is a video about a common pitfall seen in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. I believe it's important to be sure to not substitute service work for step work.

00:00 AA Service Trap

[MichaelNitkowski]

You can keep yourself so busy that you don't feel a damn thing! Thinking you're getting better when you're not

[kevjackson]

Love your channel: you always say "I'm xxx I'm an Alcoholic."...please move on....AA can be cultish....I appreciate your helpful information on your videos.

[MichaelAlbrecht-dz]

I have to do " service " in my own day to day life.I don't need anyone breathing down my neck to prove that I am worthy.I am trying to recover and not play silly games!!!.

[s.c.carriere]

I substituted service for the steps in 2008...even though I managed to keep alcohol out of my body for almost 7 years, within the first 6 months I ended up doing more service than steps...I stopped at step 3 and jumped the rest. That does not work. Yes, service work is important, but so is working the steps...concurently. Great video. Our emotions can fool us into thinking feeling good in service work is working our program...it is just one integral part of the program, not the whole program.

[johnwilliams]

You can make gallons of coffee in meetings it ain't going to give you that spiritual shift needed to be recovered

[stuarthorton]

Service has no bearing on sobriety. I was conned into making coffee for 200 people on a Saturday night. It made me not want to go. I quit the service gig and was able to spend more time at the actual meeting. I've been sober for 33 years and can't remember the last time I was at a meeting. I do not consider myself an alcoholic and certainly don't want that to be the be all and end all of my self identification.

[lifeafteralcoholism]

This is an excellent point and I love the distinction. I've seen a lot of poeple experience relief from engaing in activities but not complete the 12 steps, only to have the whole thing fall apart. This happened to me on my first unsuccessful attemps in the program.

[josephcooney]

I think it was Dr Bob who said, "There are two or three things that flashed into my mind on which it would be fitting to lay a little emphasis.  One is the simplicity of our program. Let's not louse it all up with Freudian complexes and things that are interesting to the scientific mind, but have very little to do with our actual A.A. work. Our Twelve Steps, when simmered down to the last, resolve themselves into the words “love” and “service.” We understand what love is, and we understand what service is. So let's bear those two things in mind."

Love and service, it's not a trap just a way of life.

[PanicChordB]

Thank you for the video. I feel like working the steps, having a good home group and sponsor you won’t fall into this trap. I look at service work as another tool in my toolbox. The 12 steps are meant to be suggestive and I’ve only ever seen service work presented in that way. I feel like the desire to do service work is a byproduct of working your program. In my own experience it is vital as a way for me to get out of my own head. 😅

[mikemalan]

I always joke that I was a GSR rep when I had enough sobriety to qualify for the position but not enough to know better. Others are more suited than I am. I am better at other forms of service.

[dubliners]

I'm sure there are people who do this kind of 2-stepping (p. 113 in the 12 x 12). I do both service and sponsor women. I've also worked the steps numerous times for myself and actively have a sponsor. Usually, there are minimum sobriety requirements for "jobs" at the group, district, and area level which keeps people from committing until the have the experience. That said, we have a lot of "meeting makers" who do NO service and do not sponsor at all. It's terrible because it forces those of us who are active to sponsor multiple people and do most of the service work. I've had to pull back on some service work so that I'm not "hogging" positions that others may do--and in some cases, there service jobs stay vacant. AA is not an easy thing, but it does pay off.

[w.urlitzer]

what's with all the coffee making and the smoking at the door? I am allergic to both.

[Mitzy--]

Service is for the benefit of others.. you’re not out drinking and driving .. your making coffee or setting up chairs… it’s not about sobriety it’s about recovery from the obsession to drink and if they are clean and sober .. God bless them .. the steps are suggested …

[michelm.]

Service is only 1 of 3 legacy. Service recovery and unity, should in my opinion always be equal. Tks and have a good day. Its not perfect but it is what it is.

[johnwilliams]

I'm a recovered alcoholic, and was never a heavy drinker Make as much coffee in service ain't going to get you spiritually well, keep coming back no what is says is these are the steps we took

[jimcunningham]

No wonder many people leave this cult which is a religious programme

[stubdo]

The saying 'service keeps you sober' is used where i am . It makes me cringe as, like you say, it can cover up other things that need to be done

[potacambell]

NA is almost completely service. I say thats another difference between the 2 fellowships. NA is almost more concerned with its own self preservation and AA wants you to be of service to make the whole world better. Personally I don't recommend service work until a sponsee can convince me that they have a working understanding of the traditions and even after that I tell them to pray about it.😅

[matshagstrom]

I don't see service as having much downside and I have never seen any one skip step work because they took a commitment. I think the primary reason for taking a commitment is to lessen the chance of reducing attendance which is the number ONE thing most people do before they relapse. I don't have statistics but I would guess 80% of those who relapse do so after first reducing the number of meetings or they simply stop going. Being involved will cause someone to get to know other members which will increase the chance of finding a sponsor and working the steps which in the end is how we recover. I see no reason to make a video warning people about being of service.

Service is one of the three pillars of the program. If it wasn't for people offering to do service there would be NO AA

[gregoryjannone]

This guy is not saying anything that has not been already stated over and over again.